The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1887-11-25
Concerning Grip.
P.ovidence journal.

7. evidence journal.
He seems TO have lost his grip,1
said one man to another in talking
OF IN acquaintance who had not
been long III the ranks of the
"middleaged.' They both felt
that their friend had talents; they
lonsed 20 see bIIn apply them with
judgment and success. The tenn
grip was an expressive one. What
ever ones work may be, it cannot
be properly done unless the worker
has firm hold of his tools. Lack of
grip may often be resolved into
lack of incentive, and therefore,
whoever imparts to his comrade
sufficient motive for holding fast,
is doing him service of the most ef-
fectual kind. The contagion of
personal courage can sometimes do
wonders in this direction if it be
not simply the courage of animal
spirits, but also an abiding convic.
tion that there is some work worth
doing, suited to the powers of every
rational being. Such a belief is in
wrought in the fiber of all really
helpful organizations, The efforts
of the wisest philanthropists to-
day ale not TO put aims in the open
band Of the beggar, but to close
that hand with good grasp upon
some implement of honest toll, to
train 1t gradually until it becomes q
skillful hand, TO train the mind at
the same time, that it may acquire
a 6rmer aud larger grasp of the
things that concern it. This in
wolves, OF course, a ciariication of
the moral perceptions. AS Bishop
Huntingdon has recently said in
the Forum, "there are other powers
and capacities stamped with a
quite weighty responsibility as
those of apprehension, acquisition,
memory, viz: the moral judgment,
conscience and will. 1t can hardly
be pretended by the most extrava-
gaut secularist that hitherto these
great forces in a complete man
hood have had their share of cul-
ture. Where they dwindle or are
overshadowed, it is not only the
symmetry OF complete individual
that must suffer but socie-
ty will be disordered.n The sub
iect of individual grasp can hardly
be considered for a moment with.
out study of the mans relation to
society. When, in our every day
speech, We say that man is
'grasping,n tue expression is far
from being a tribute to his nobility
Of characte". We perceive that
Ills grasp, though tenacious, is
,.llse one. that he has not true
sense of values aud proportions, of
lights aud duties. Important as it
S to have right grip, it is impor,
Aut also to know how to let go at
he right moment, how to take hold
If something besides ones own
special tool; how to give other
people their full chance of doing
heir best. In short, the acquisi.
ion of the best grasp of compre-
lensiOn, OF delicate touch, is task
larder for some persons than for
'thers, but truly easy for none,
ince the range of subjects to be
Iealt with continually widen with
be exercise of ones powers. If we
tudy tue men, whether of high or
Ow degree, who seem to be work
ng the most heartily aud effective.
', we find, do we not, that their
grip" consists largely in three ele-
lents, honesty, courage and docili.
~ In other words, they are dis.
iplined men in the seuse that they
o with their might whatever wor-
by work their hands find to do,
18th constant readiness to do
better as soon as they
earn how.